If you do a search there's a recent thread on this very subject iirc.

Keep a grand or two in an "in case of emergency" fund.

Many thanks! Yes, I intend to keep some cash to the side.

Considering going from the Mondeo, to a Fiat Panda 100hp for daily grind and M5 in the garage to **** me off at weekends

Just looks so terrifying looking at all the ads wondering what hidden demons each some has....

Like others have said before, go in with eyes open and you won't go far wrong with either. I've owned both, the M3 when nearly new and the E39 M5 upto a year ago. Cars are chalk and cheese, for me the M5 is the better all rounder and always felt far more special than the M3.

Which ever car you buy will have the odd hiccup but so long as you buy wisely nothing is the end of the world! I ran my E39 for nearly 4 years and had the usual cam position sensors fail, had to fit new brake discs at the front etc but kept a few quid aside so was never an issue. The important thing is it never let me down.

If you find a car you like may I suggest you speak to Phil Crouch at CPC automotive, he is a bit of an M genius, especially with E39 M5's, he would be the man to check and point out any pitfalls. His number is 01494 766661 and he is a mile or so off the M25 in Chorley Wood.

Good Luck
Ian

As said many times before the e39 M5 is a fabulous car, I was nervous before taking the plunge with mine narly 3.5 years (22k miles ago), But it has proved absolutely faultless, I normanlly change my cars every 12-18 months, But I cant find anything that comes close without spending silly money, buy one now, before more people latch onto how fantastic they are

be wary.......going in at the very bottom of the market is dangerous unless you know what you are looking at.

as a beemer virgin, i'd say get someone onboard to help you look, or else up your sights and aim at a properly looked after car for £8k+........

i'v got 2 cos one is never enough lol one in LMB and DD is CB

on a serious note, go in with your eyes open and don't just buy the first one you see, every single M5 will drive different, in total i'v had/got 3 E39 M5's and none drive/drove the same

otherwise amazing cars, you'll love it

I'd buy one that he's been maintained no expense spared by an enthusiast private seller, who had the means to look after it.

Hi,

i own both an e39 m5 and a e46 m3 at the moment and drive one every other day. I've had the M5 for nearly 4 years and can honestly say i haven't found anything for the same sort of money that would better it. It can be as docile and relaxed as an everyday 5 series or it can be a sports car with 4 doors. It really is that good that it's used every other day for the commute or a back road blast. The m3 is more mental and seems to want to be driven fast all the time, they are both very different. Yes the m3 is a slightly newer design and looks a bit fresher as a package but for a car for a jack of all then the m5 wins hands down. You could easily drive the m5 for hours on end and feel as if you've been traveling in a luxury car (which it is) the whole time. I don't echo some of the thoughts of others in relation to not buying at the cheaper end of the market. I bought mine 4 years ago at the very bottom end of the market and yes it did need a few things doing to bring back to its best but if you find a specialist and steer clear of bmw main dealers it can be an affordable car to run. Mine at present has 205k on the clock so that in itself is testament to the built quality. As long as they get serviced when needed and you look for a full history then i think they could go on for a long time. They love oil and super unleaded fuel but what other 5 litre car wouldn't. It depends on what your needs are, if you want to drive something mental all the time then the e46 but if your after something that can be relaxed and comfortable one minute bu then raw and raucous the next the M5 is by far the best bet.

By everyday car standards they do...